Honors as a Launchpad: Honors Alum Annalise Gade’s Path to a PhD
Annalise Gade | Honors Alum
Published October 13, 2025
Building upon Honors as a foundation
The Honors College undoubtedly stands out as the highlight of my undergraduate career. Honors provided me with so many opportunities that I would not otherwise have been able to experience, ranging from studying Shakespeare abroad to interviewing a top physicist on the origins of the universe. Through the Honors College educational award, I was able to travel to an American Nuclear Society conference. This allowed me to connect to the nuclear community, bringing back diverse perspectives to Wyoming while simultaneously helping to inform my future career path. I am now pursuing my PhD in Nuclear Materials Science at the University of Michigan--a new journey that I feel fully prepared for because of my involvement in Honors.
The Honors College was truly my home on campus, where I made lifelong friends and connections while pursuing a more well-rounded education. Whether attending the Dean's book club, meeting visiting authors, or simply engaging with peers and faculty at Honors events, I formed meaningful friendships and connections that shaped my academic and personal growth. Honors continuously pushed me out of my comfort zone while providing me with both the opportunity and encouragement to succeed. The Honors College is more than just a set of courses--it is a vibrant, supportive network that defined my university experience.
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